OPERA America draws on resources and expertise from within and beyond the opera field to advance a mutually beneficial agenda that serves and strengthens the field through programs in the following categories:

Creation: Artistic services that help artists and companies increase the creativity and excellence of opera productions, especially North American works;

Presentation: Opera company services that address the specific needs of staff, trustees and volunteers;

Enjoyment: Education, audience development and community services that increase all forms of opera appreciation.

New York City is home to the nation’s largest concentration of performing and creative artists, professional training institutions and music businesses. A majority of OPERA America’s Professional Company Members hold or attend auditions in New York City annually, and opera leaders from Europe and around the world are regular visitors.

In response to the pressing need for appropriate space in New York by members who suffered from the lack of good audition and work facilities in the city, OPERA America created the National Opera Center. The Opera Center serves many functions that support the artistic and economic vitality of the field by providing its constituents with a range and level of services never before possible.

OPERA America serves the entire opera field through research, publications and services. We work daily to facilitate the creation, performance and enjoyment of opera throughout North America. Much of what we do is made possible through generous contributions from opera lovers like you.

A small group of people wait in a railway station. One of them sings about the hand mirror she carries. The passengers ask Mr. Owen, a man with a paint box, what he does; before answering, they are distracted by a puppet show. One of the passengers talks about his luggage. Another man has a cornet case, but will not open the case. Another traveler makes hats for the movies, but is misunderstood by the rest. One passenger reveals that he is a shoe salesman, but also refuses to open his case. Mr. Owen is asked about his painting. One of the ladies has a cake box, in which she says she keeps her lover. Mr. Owen talks about a magical ship he imagined when he was younger. A puppet maker appears, talking about all of the things that go into puppet making. Mr. Owen is asked to paint the passengers’ portraits. As they wonder about his paint box, they bully him into place to paint them. His box falls open, revealing that it is empty. The puppet show concludes, and everyone but Mr. Owen leaves. He sings about the ship of his childhood dreams.

Character List (Major):

A Lady with a "Cake Box" (s)
A Lady with a Hand Mirror/An Operetta Singer (col s)
A Lady with a "Hat Box"/A Foreign Singer (mz)
Mr. Owen, Man with a Paint Box (t)
A Man with Old Luggage/First Puppet/An Operetta Singer (t)
A Man with a Shoe Sample Kit/Second Puppet (bar)
A Man with "Cornet Case"/A Puppet Maker (b)

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